Page 70 of An Island Promise

‘You’re seriously asking me that?’ Cara shook her head. ‘I’m thirty-seven years old.’

‘Yeah, sorry, didn’t mean it quite like that.’

‘After the shit-show of my last relationship and me leaving the continent, I think they’re just glad I’m home and happy. But my love life is obviously not what you were calling about, so what’s up?’

Caleb sat on the edge of the sofa opposite the open doors where a light breeze drifted in. ‘Do you remember that conversation we had a few months after Paloma died? We sat here with our feet in the pool in the middle of winter and talked and drank pretty much all night. You told me that one day I’d find the strength to move on, to even find love again.’

‘Yeah, I remember. It was the day you were in absolute pieces.’

‘One of many,’ Caleb grunted. ‘I was in a bad place that night. You helped, but I didn’t truly believe what you said. I couldn’t even begin to understand how my heart wouldn’t constantly feel like it was breaking, let alone be in a good enough place to be able to love someone again, to find space for someone else in my heart as well as Paloma.’

‘Wait, wait, slow down.’ Cara rubbed her eyes and squinted at him. ‘I feel like I’ve missed a chunk of information here.’

Caleb ran his hot hand down the leg of his shorts. ‘I spent last night with Belle.’

‘You mean you went to Eddie’s together?’ Cara suddenly sat forward, her frown turning to open-mouthed surprise. ‘Oh, you actually mean youspentthe night with her.’

‘It was late, Eddie invited us to stay over so we did in separate rooms, but Belle had a nightmare and I, um, suggested she might feel better if she wasn’t alone.’

Cara snorted. ‘Caleb Levine, that was a bold move.’

‘I honestly only meant for us to cuddle.’

‘But…’

‘It was Belle who instigated things and there was no fucking way in the world I could ignore how I felt once I’d touched her.’

Cara wafted a hand in front of her face. ‘You better go easy on the details or you’re going to get me all hot and bothered.’

‘I’ve only ever felt this way with one person before, Cara.’

‘Oh Caleb,’ she said gently.

‘It’s been so much to take in and process. I didn’t want to say goodbye when I dropped her off this morning yet I knew I needed to be alone to figure stuff out.’

‘You just need some time. It’s new and exciting and scary to open yourself up like this again – that’s the key thing, because you haven’t before now. It’s brave and fucking perfect, Caleb.’ Cara grinned at him. ‘So my advice from what, four years ago, was spot on then?’

‘Yes it was, because I think I love her.’ His heart dropped into his stomach at saying out loud what he’d realised that morning.

‘Oh my God, Caleb. I wish I was there to give you an almighty hug.’

‘You were right about me taking a chance and being open to the possibility of happiness again.’

‘Of course I was right.’ Cara grinned at him. ‘I was also right about Belle being perfect.’

‘You meant for the job though.’

‘Oh I’m not sure about that, I meantperfect. Looks, personality, experience, job-wise. The whole damn package.’

‘Oh, so you’re taking credit for this now, are you?’ He couldn’t help but smile.

‘Considering it was me who suggested that Belle went with you to Eddie’s, then hell yes am I taking full credit for you and Belle winding up together last night.’

‘And as Naomi’s in your bed, I assume things are going well with you two?’

‘Yeah, it’s a big step, but it feels right, you know?’

‘Cara?’ A voice in the background made her turn.

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